JP6390681B2 - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel from inside a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an in-tank fuel supply device disposed in a fuel tank has been widely applied to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. In an apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 as one type of such a fuel supply apparatus, a lid attached to the upper wall of the fuel tank, and a fuel placed in the fuel tank placed on the bottom wall of the fuel tank are used as an internal combustion engine. It connects with the pump unit which discharges toward by the connection support | pillar.

  Now, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connecting column has a first slide member that extends downward from the lid, and a second slide that is mounted on the pump unit and slides up and down on the first slide member. And a member.

JP 2012-184760 A

  However, in the disclosed device of Patent Document 1, the fuel tank expands and contracts as the internal combustion engine repeats operation and stop, so that the lid body and the pump unit respectively follow the upper wall and the bottom wall of the fuel tank. To do. Therefore, when the expansion and contraction of the fuel tank becomes excessive, there is a concern that the lid body on which an excessive load is applied along the connection support column may be damaged. If the lid is damaged, fuel vapor leaks from the fuel tank, which is not desirable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel supply device that suppresses breakage of the lid.

  The technical means of the invention for achieving the object will be described below. The reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims and in this section disclosing the technical means of the invention indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiment described in detail later. It is not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention.

The first invention disclosed in order to solve the above-described problem is
In the fuel supply device (1) for supplying fuel from the fuel tank (2) to the internal combustion engine (3),
A lid (10) attached to the upper wall (2a) of the fuel tank;
A pump unit (20) mounted on the bottom wall (2c) of the fuel tank and discharging the fuel in the fuel tank toward the internal combustion engine;
A connecting column (30) connecting the lid and the pump unit;
The connecting strut is
An upper column (32, 4032, 5032, 6032) extending below the lid;
Lower struts (31, 2031, 3031, 4031, 7031) that are mounted on the pump unit and are slidably fitted to the upper struts up and down,
Stress specific portions (313, 2313) where stress concentrates due to a decrease in the section modulus are provided at specific locations (Sc, Sp) of the lower support column ,
In the upper strut, the lower strut is slidingly fitted from below,
The stress concentration portion is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) outside the upper column in the lower column,
The upper support column includes an upper cylindrical portion (320, 4320, 5320, 6320) that forms a hollow cylindrical portion (320a) and an upper column portion (321, 4321, that forms a solid columnar portion (321a). 5321, 6321), and
The lower strut includes a lower column part (311, 4311, 7311) forming a solid columnar part (311a) and a lower cylinder part (312, 2312, forming a hollow cylindrical part (312a, 2312a). 4312, 7312), and
In the hollow cylindrical part (320a) of the upper cylindrical part, the lower column part is slidably fitted from below,
In the hollow cylindrical portion (312a, 2312a) of the lower cylindrical portion, the upper column portion is slidably fitted from above,
The stress concentration part is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) in at least one of the lower column part and the lower cylinder part.

  Thus, according to the connection support | pillar of 1st invention, the lower support | pillar with which a pump unit is mounted | worn is slidably fitted to the upper support | pillar extended below the cover body up and down. Therefore, according to the first invention in which the stress concentration portion is provided at a specific location of the lower support column, if an excessive load is applied along the connection support column in response to excessive expansion and contraction of the fuel tank, the section modulus decreases. In the stress concentration part where the stress is concentrated, damage may occur in preference to the lid. Therefore, it is possible to suppress damage to the lid that causes fuel vapor leakage from the fuel tank due to preferential breakage of the lower strut that is further away from the lid than the upper strut.

The second invention disclosed in order to solve the above-described problem is
In the fuel supply device (1) for supplying fuel from the fuel tank (2) to the internal combustion engine (3),
A lid (10) attached to the upper wall (2a) of the fuel tank;
A pump unit (20) mounted on the bottom wall (2c) of the fuel tank and discharging the fuel in the fuel tank toward the internal combustion engine;
A connecting column (30) connecting the lid and the pump unit;
The connecting strut is
An upper column (32, 4032, 5032, 6032) extending below the lid;
Lower struts (31, 2031, 3031, 4031, 7031) that are mounted on the pump unit and are slidably fitted to the upper struts up and down,
Stress concentration portions (313, 2313) where stress concentrates due to a decrease in cross-sectional area are provided at specific portions (Sc, Sp) of the lower support column ,
In the upper strut, the lower strut is slidingly fitted from below,
The stress concentration portion is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) outside the upper column in the lower column,
The upper support column includes an upper cylindrical portion (320, 4320, 5320, 6320) that forms a hollow cylindrical portion (320a) and an upper column portion (321, 4321, that forms a solid columnar portion (321a). 5321, 6321), and
The lower strut includes a lower column part (311, 4311, 7311) forming a solid columnar part (311a) and a lower cylinder part (312, 2312, forming a hollow cylindrical part (312a, 2312a). 4312, 7312), and
In the hollow cylindrical part (320a) of the upper cylindrical part, the lower column part is slidably fitted from below,
In the hollow cylindrical portion (312a, 2312a) of the lower cylindrical portion, the upper column portion is slidably fitted from above,
The stress concentration part is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) in at least one of the lower column part and the lower cylinder part.

  Thus, according to the connection support | pillar of 2nd invention, the lower support | pillar with which a pump unit is mounted | worn is slidably fitted to the upper support | pillar extended below the cover body up and down. Therefore, according to the second invention in which the stress concentrating portion is provided at a specific position of the lower support column, if an excessive load is applied along the connecting support column in response to excessive expansion / contraction of the fuel tank, the cross-sectional area is reduced. In the stress concentration part where the stress is concentrated, damage may occur in preference to the lid. Therefore, it is possible to suppress damage to the lid that causes fuel vapor leakage from the fuel tank due to preferential breakage of the lower strut that is further away from the lid than the upper strut.

  Further, the stress concentration portion according to the disclosed third invention is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) located immediately above the lower end portion (31a) receiving a load from the bottom wall in the lower support column. In the third aspect of the invention, when the fuel tank is excessively expanded and contracted, the section modulus or the cross-sectional area is determined at the specific position located immediately above the lower end of the lower support column that receives an excessive load from the bottom wall of the fuel tank. It becomes easy for stress to concentrate on the stress concentration portion where the decrease is made. According to this, since the breakage of the lower support column prior to the lid can be surely attracted, it is possible to enhance the effect of suppressing the breakage of the lid.

  In the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the rail portions arranged side by side on the lower column are slidably fitted to the guide portions arranged horizontally on the upper column. Here, the lower end portions of the guide portions are aligned vertically, and the upper end portions of the rail portions are aligned vertically. Therefore, there is substantially no vertical displacement at the initial fitting position of each rail portion with respect to each guide portion. That is, when the lower support column is assembled to the upper support column, the rail portions need to start to be fitted to the guide portions simultaneously. Therefore, each rail part must be positioned substantially simultaneously on both sides in the lateral direction with respect to each guide part, and productivity is lowered.

In the fourth invention disclosed for such a problem,
The upper support column is configured by integrating the first upper portion (320, 4320, 5320, 6320) and the second upper portion (321, 4321, 5321, 6321) arranged side by side,
The lower struts (31, 2031, 3031, 4031, and 7031) are configured by integrating a first lower portion (311, 4311, 7311) and a second lower portion (312, 2312, 4312, 7312) arranged side by side. And
The first lower part is slidingly fitted up and down from the first fitting initial position (P1) to the first upper part,
The second lower portion moves up and down with respect to the second upper portion from the second fitting initial position (P2) where the slide fitting of the first lower portion with respect to the first upper portion is advanced from the first fitting initial position. The slide fit.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, at the second fitting initial position where the second lower part slide-fits to the second upper part, the first lower part slide-fits to the first upper part. The slide fitting of the first lower portion with respect to the first upper portion is advanced from the initial position of the first fitting. As a result, when assembling the lower support column configured integrally with the first and second lower portions to the upper support column configured integrally with the first and second upper portions, the first and second upper portions are assembled. On the other hand, the slide fitting of the first and second lower portions is shifted in time. That is, after the first lower portion slide-fits to the first upper portion from the first fitting initial position, the second lower portion slide-fits to the second upper portion from the second fitting initial position. Will start.

  According to such a fourth invention, after the first lower portion is positioned at the first fitting initial position with respect to the first upper portion, the slide fitting of the first lower portion with respect to the first upper portion is advanced, The relative displacement in the lateral direction can be restricted between the two columns. Therefore, the second lower portion can be positioned at the second fitting initial position with respect to the second upper portion while the first lower portion is guided by the first upper portion. As described above, positioning at the first fitting initial position can be easily realized only on one side in the lateral direction, and positioning at the second fitting initial position can be easily realized on the opposite side in the lateral direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of assembling the lower support column with respect to the upper support column and improve the productivity.

It is a front view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a left view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a right view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG. 1 of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the insertion method to the fuel tank of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the lower support | pillar of FIG. It is a left view which shows the lower support | pillar of FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the lower support | pillar of FIG. It is a top view which shows the lower support | pillar of FIG. It is a front view which shows the upper support | pillar of FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the upper support | pillar of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the fuel supply device by a 1st embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic view corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. It is a schematic diagram equivalent to the XIV-XIV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the state different from FIG. 12 of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG. 1 of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG.1,16 of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG.1,16,17 of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the effect of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the effect of the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the lower support | pillar of the fuel supply apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the effect of the fuel supply apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 4th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG. 25 of the fuel supply apparatus by 4th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG.25, 26 of the fuel supply apparatus by 4th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 5th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG. 28 of the fuel supply apparatus by 5th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG.28, 29 of the fuel supply apparatus by 5th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 6th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG. 31 of the fuel supply apparatus by 6th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG. 31, 32 of the fuel supply apparatus by 6th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the fuel supply apparatus by 6th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG. 34 of the fuel supply apparatus by 6th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state different from FIG.34, 35 of the fuel supply apparatus by 6th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG. It is a front view which shows the modification of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of the other embodiment described above can be applied to the other part of the configuration. In addition, not only combinations of configurations explicitly described in the description of each embodiment, but also the configurations of a plurality of embodiments can be partially combined even if they are not explicitly specified unless there is a problem with the combination. .

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine 3 of a vehicle by being mounted on a fuel tank 2. The fuel supply device 1 supplies the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2 to the internal combustion engine 3 outside the fuel tank 2. Here, the fuel tank 2 is made of resin or metal and has a hollow shape. An insertion hole 2 b passes through the upper wall 2 a of the fuel tank 2. The fuel supply device 1 is inserted into the fuel tank 2 through the insertion hole 2b. Under such an insertion state, the internal combustion engine 3 that is the fuel supply destination from the fuel supply device 1 may be a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. The vertical direction and the horizontal direction in FIGS. 1 to 3 showing the state of insertion of the fuel supply device 1 into the fuel tank 2 are defined along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the vehicle on a horizontal plane, respectively.

(overall structure)
First, the overall configuration of the fuel supply device 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuel supply device 1 includes a lid body 10, a pump unit 20, and a connecting column 30.

  The lid 10 is made of resin and has a disk shape. The lid 10 is attached to the upper wall 2 a of the fuel tank 2. With this attachment, the lid body 10 closes the insertion hole 2b. The lid 10 integrally includes a fuel supply pipe 11 and an electrical connector 12. The fuel supply pipe 11 communicates with the pump unit 20 in the fuel tank 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply pipe 11 communicates with the fuel path 4 between the fuel tank 2 and the internal combustion engine 3 outside the fuel tank 2. Under such a communication state, the pump unit 20 discharges the fuel in the fuel tank 2 toward the internal combustion engine 3 outside the fuel tank 2, so that the discharged fuel is supplied from the fuel supply pipe 11 to the internal combustion engine 3 through the fuel path 4. Is done.

  The electrical connector 12 includes a plurality of metal terminals 12a. Each metal terminal 12 a is electrically connected to the fuel pump 22 of the pump unit 20 in the fuel tank 2. The metal terminal 12 a is electrically connected to a control circuit system 5 such as an ECU outside the fuel tank 2. Under such an electrical connection state, the fuel pump 22 is controlled in accordance with a control signal sent from the control circuit system 5 through each metal terminal 12a.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pump unit 20 is accommodated in the fuel tank 2 below the lid body 10. The pump unit 20 includes a unit main body 21 and a fuel pump 22. The unit main body 21 has a flat rectangular box shape as a whole, and is placed on the bottom wall 2 c of the fuel tank 2. In the unit main body 21, the sub tank 210 is configured by combining a lower member 211 and an upper member 212.

  The lower member 211 is made of resin and has a flat plate shape. The lower member 211 is provided with a plurality of inflow holes 211a so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The lower member 211 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 211b so as to protrude downward. Each protrusion 211b ensures an inflow gap 2d between the lower member 211 and the bottom wall 2c by contacting the bottom wall 2c of the fuel tank 2 from above. The fuel in the fuel tank 2 flows into each inflow hole 211a through this inflow gap 2d.

  The upper member 212 is made of resin and has an inverted cup shape. The outer edge portion of the upper member 212 is fixed to the outer edge portion of the lower member 211. The upper member 212 is provided with a through hole 212a so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The fuel in the fuel tank 2 flows into the upper member 212 through the through hole 212a, and is stored in the sub tank 210.

  In the unit main body 21, the filter screen 214 is formed of a material that exhibits a filtering function, such as a porous resin, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a resin mesh, and a metal mesh. The filter screen 214 has a flat rectangular bag shape, and an outer edge portion is sandwiched between the lower member 211 and the upper member 212. In such a sandwiched state, the inflow fuel from the fuel tank 2 into the inflow holes 211 a and the upper member 212 is filtered through the filter screen 214. The filtered fuel is sucked into the fuel pump 22 from the filter screen 214.

  The fuel pump 22 is an electric pump such as a vane pump or a trochoid pump. The fuel pump 22 has a cylindrical shape facing in the lateral direction. The fuel pump 22 is fixed to the upper part 212 b of the upper member 212 in the unit main body 21. The fuel pump 22 is electrically connected to each metal terminal 12a via a flexible wiring 220 that can be bent. The suction port 22a of the fuel pump 22 communicates with the bag-like filter screen 214 while being inserted into the upper member 212 through the through hole 212a. The discharge port 22 b of the fuel pump 22 communicates with the fuel supply pipe 11 through a flexible tube 221 that can be bent. The fuel pump 22 is driven according to a control signal from the control circuit system 5 to suck in the filtered fuel in the filter screen 214. The fuel pump 22 discharges the fuel thus sucked toward the internal combustion engine 3.

  The connecting column 30 is accommodated in the fuel tank 2. The connection support | pillar 30 has connected independently between the cover body 10 and the pump unit 20 as a whole. Here, the pump unit 20 is attached to the single connecting column 30 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Ar assumed to extend in the lateral direction. Under such a mounted state, the pump unit 20 has a use rotation position Ru shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and a reference rotation position Rb shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as rotation positions around the rotation axis Ar with respect to the connecting column 30. Yes.

  Specifically, the use rotation position Ru is determined by the pump unit 20 with respect to the connection column 30 that extends in the vertical direction as a whole under the insertion state of the fuel supply device 1 into the fuel tank 2 as shown in FIGS. This is a rotational position where the fuel tank 2 is bent and placed on the bottom wall 2 c of the fuel tank 2. On the other hand, the reference rotation position Rb is a rotation position at which the bending of the pump unit 20 with respect to the connecting column 30 is reduced from the use rotation position Ru before the fuel supply device 1 is inserted into the fuel tank 2 as shown in FIG. At the reference rotation position Rb, the entire fuel supply device 1 can be inserted into the fuel tank 2 through the insertion hole 2b from the pump unit 20 side as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connecting column 30 includes a lower column 31, an upper column 32, and an elastic member 33. The lower column 31 extends vertically on the side of the pump unit 20. The lower support column 31 includes a rotating plate part 310, a lower column part 311, and a lower cylinder part 312. The rotating plate part 310, the lower column part 311 and the lower cylinder part 312 are integrally formed with resin.

  The rotating plate portion 310 has a flat plate shape that extends vertically and horizontally. The rotary plate portion 310 is attached to the side portion 212c of the upper member 212 in the unit main body portion 21 of the pump unit 20 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Ar. The end located at the lowermost part of the rotating plate 310 forms a lower end 31 a of the lower column 31. Here, the unit main body portion 21 is provided with an interposition portion 211c in a flat plate shape extending in the lateral direction along the rotation axis Ar in the lower member 211. 1-3, the interposed portion 211c is interposed between the lower end 31a of the lower support column 31 and the bottom wall 2c of the fuel tank 2 at the use rotation position Ru. The lower end portion 31a of the lower support column 31 receives a load generated due to the expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2 from the bottom wall 2c through the interposed portion 211c due to the interposed state.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the lower column portion 311 as the “first lower portion” is arranged along the vertical direction by protruding upward from the rotating plate portion 310 in the lower column 31. A portion of the lower pillar portion 311 that has a solid rectangular columnar shape forms a solid columnar portion 311a below the housing hole 311b that opens upward.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the lower cylinder portion 312 as the “second lower portion” protrudes upward from the rotating plate portion 310 in the lower column 31, so that it is substantially parallel to the lower column portion 311 in the vertical direction. Are arranged along. The lower cylinder portion 312 is separated from the lower column portion 311 in the lateral direction. The lower cylindrical portion 312 forms a hollow cylindrical portion 312a as a whole having a hollow rectangular cylindrical shape opened upward.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 to 8, in the lower support column 31, a stress concentration portion 313 is provided at a specific portion Sc of the lower column portion 311 located immediately above the lower end portion 31 a. Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the specific portion Sc is set in a range from the boundary 314 with the rotating plate portion 310 to a predetermined distance upward in the solid columnar portion 311 a of the lower column portion 311.

  The stress concentration portion 313 provided in the specific portion Sc is formed in an oblique cut shape in the solid columnar portion 311a of the lower column portion 311 in the lower column 31. Specifically, the stress concentration portion 313 is inclined obliquely toward the boundary 314 both in the lateral direction along the rotational axis Ar and in the lateral direction perpendicular to the rotational axis Ar.

  In the stress concentration part 313 at the specific location Sc due to the inclined form toward the boundary 314, the section modulus in the cross section substantially parallel to the rotation axis Ar (for example, see the grid hatched part in FIG. 13) is the solid columnar part 311a. It is smaller than the section modulus in the cross section of the other portion 316 (see, for example, the grid hatched portion in FIG. 14). Therefore, when the lower strut 31 receives a load in the bending direction caused by expansion / contraction of the fuel tank 2 at the use rotation position Ru shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bending stress is applied to the stress concentration portion 313 having a reduced section modulus. Will be concentrated. Here, since the bending stress is derived by dividing the bending moment by the section modulus, it is concentrated as the section modulus decreases. In the present embodiment, the section modulus is assumed with respect to, for example, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the cross sections of FIGS.

  Moreover, in the stress concentration part 313, the cross-sectional area in the cross section substantially parallel to the rotation axis Ar (for example, see the grid hatching part of FIG. 13) is crossed by the solid columnar part 311a with the other part 316 by the inclination form which goes to the boundary 314. It is smaller than the cross-sectional area in the plane (for example, see the grid hatched portion in FIG. 14). Therefore, when the lower strut 31 receives a load in the compression direction caused by expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2 at the use rotation position Ru shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compressive stress is applied to the stress concentration portion 313 having a reduced cross-sectional area. Will be concentrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper support column 32 extends below the lid body 10. The upper column 32 includes an upper cylinder part 320 and an upper column part 321. The upper cylinder part 320 and the upper column part 321 are integrally formed with each other and with the lid body 10 by resin.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the upper cylindrical portion 320 as the “first upper portion” is disposed along the vertical direction in the upper support column 32 protruding downward from the lid body 10. The upper cylinder part 320 forms the hollow cylinder part 320a in the whole which exhibits the hollow rectangular cylinder shape opened toward the downward direction.

  The upper column portion 321 as the “second upper portion” is disposed along the vertical direction substantially parallel to the upper cylindrical portion 320 in the upper column 32 protruding downward from the lid body 10. As a result, the upper column part 321 is arranged side by side with respect to the upper cylinder part 320. The upper column part 321 forms a solid columnar part 321a as a whole having a solid rectangular column shape. The solid columnar part 321a of the upper column part 321 is connected to the hollow cylindrical part 320a of the upper cylinder part 320 in the lateral direction. With this connection configuration, the rib-shaped portion 321b that continues from the hollow cylindrical portion 320a to the rib shape in the solid columnar portion 321a reinforces the hollow cylindrical portion 320a.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the solid columnar portion 321 a is slidably fitted in the upper cylindrical portion 321 in the hollow cylindrical portion 312 a of the lower cylindrical portion 312, thereby lowering the lower cylindrical portion 312. The cylindrical portion 312 is slidable in the vertical direction. That is, in the hollow cylindrical portion 312a of the lower cylindrical portion 312, the solid columnar portion 321a of the upper column portion 321 is slidably fitted up and down from above. Here, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, a rib-shaped portion 321 b provided in the solid columnar portion 321 a of the upper column portion 321 is formed in the slit 312 b provided in the hollow cylindrical portion 312 a of the lower cylinder portion 312. Has been passed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the hollow cylindrical portion 320 a of the upper cylindrical portion 320, the portion that forms the accommodation hole 311 b in the lower lower column portion 311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylindrical portion 320. Thus, the lower column portion 311 is slidable in the vertical direction. That is, in the hollow cylindrical portion 320a of the upper cylindrical portion 320, a portion where the accommodation hole 311b is formed in the lower column portion 311 is slidably fitted vertically from below.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 15, when the lower column portion 311 enters the hollow cylindrical portion 320 a most, the slide fitting length of the lower column 31 with respect to the upper column 32 is maximized. At this time, the column-side upper end portion 311c of the lower column portion 311 of the lower column 31 is locked by the concave bottom surface 320b formed in the hollow cylindrical portion 320a of the upper column 32.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the upper column 32, the cylinder side lower end portion 320 c as the “first lower end portion” in the upper cylinder portion 320 is changed to the column side lower end portion 321 c as the “second lower end portion” in the upper column portion 321. On the other hand, it is aligned vertically and is not substantially displaced. On the other hand, in the lower column 31, the column-side upper end portion 311 c as the “first upper end portion” in the lower column portion 311 is higher than the cylinder-side upper end portion 312 c as the “second upper end portion” in the lower cylinder portion 312. Separated and stepped. In other words, the column-side upper end portion 311 c is the upper end portion located at the uppermost position in the lower column 31.

  Under these end portion positional relationships, the lower column portion 311 is slidably fitted up and down from the first fitting initial position P1 shown in FIG. That is, the first fitting initial position P1 is an initial position at which the column-side upper end portion 311c of the lower column portion 311 starts sliding fitting with respect to the cylinder-side lower end portion 320c of the upper cylinder portion 320. On the other hand, the lower cylinder portion 312 is slidably fitted up and down from the second fitting initial position P2 shown in FIG. That is, the second fitting initial position P2 is an initial position at which the cylinder side upper end portion 312c of the lower cylinder portion 312 starts sliding fitting with respect to the column side lower end portion 321c of the upper column portion 321, and the upper cylinder portion 320. The slide fitting of the lower column part 311 with respect to is a position advanced from the first fitting initial position P1 of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 12, and 15, the stress concentration portion 313 is provided at a specific portion Sc located outside the hollow cylindrical portion 320 a of the upper cylindrical portion 320 in the solid columnar portion 311 a of the lower column portion 311. Yes. Here, particularly in this embodiment, even if the lower column portion 311 enters the hollow cylindrical portion 320a as shown in FIG. 15 within a range that can resist the restoring force of the elastic member 33, which will be described in detail later, the stress concentration will occur. The portion 313 is set so as to be located outside the hollow cylindrical portion 320a. In other words, the stress concentration portion 313 is set to be positioned outside the hollow cylindrical portion 320a even when the slide fitting length of the lower column 31 with respect to the upper column 32 is maximized as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, the elastic member 33 is made of metal and has a coil spring shape. The elastic member 33 is accommodated across the hollow cylindrical portion 320 a of the upper cylindrical portion 320 and the accommodating hole 311 b of the lower column portion 311. The elastic member 33 is sandwiched between the hollow cylindrical portion 320a and the accommodation hole 311b. The elastic member 33 generates a restoring force that acts on the lower column portion 311 toward the bottom side of the bottom wall 2c of the fuel tank 2 in a state in which the elastic member 33 is locked to the upper cylindrical portion 320 by the clamping form. This restoring force is transmitted from the lower column part 311 to the pump unit 20 via the rotary plate part 310, so that each protrusion 211 b of the unit main body part 21 is pressed against the bottom wall 2 c of the fuel tank 2. As a result, the slide fitting position between the lower column 31 and the upper column 32 in the coupling column 30 changes according to the expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2.

(Function and effect)
The operational effects of the first embodiment described above will be described below.

  According to the connection support column 30 of the first embodiment, the lower support column 31 attached to the pump unit 20 is slid up and down on the upper support column 32 extending downward from the lid body 10. Therefore, according to the first embodiment in which the stress concentration portion 313 is provided at the specific location Sc of the lower support column 31, if an excessive load acts along the connection support column 30 in response to excessive expansion / contraction of the fuel tank 2. In the stress concentration part 313 where the stress concentrates due to the reduction of the section modulus and the cross-sectional area, damage may occur as shown in FIGS. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the breakage of the lid body 10 that causes fuel vapor leakage from the fuel tank 2 due to the preferential breakage of the lower strut 31 that is farther from the lid body 10 than the upper strut 32. FIG. 19 illustrates a state where the stress concentration portion 313 of the lower column portion 311 is broken around the rotation axis Ar and separated from the rotation plate portion 310 and the lower cylinder portion 312. On the other hand, FIG. 20 illustrates a state where the stress concentration portion 313 is broken around the vertical axis Ap perpendicular to the rotation axis Ar and separated from the rotation plate portion 310 and the lower cylinder portion 312.

  In the first embodiment, when the fuel tank 2 is excessively expanded and contracted, at the specific portion Sc located just above the lower end 31a that receives an excessive load from the bottom wall 2c of the fuel tank 2 in the lower support column 31, Stress tends to concentrate on the stress concentration portion 313 having a reduced section modulus and sectional area. According to this, since the breakage of the lower support column 31 that has priority over the lid body 10 can be surely induced, the damage suppression effect of the lid body 10 can be enhanced.

  Further, in the first embodiment, a stress concentrating portion 313 is provided at a specific location Sc outside the upper column 32 in the lower column 31 under the configuration in which the lower column 31 is slidably fitted into the upper column 32 from below. . As a result, the lower support 31 is damaged outside the upper support 32. Here, if the lower support column 31 is damaged in the upper support column 32 and all damaged items remain, an excessive load corresponding to excessive expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2 is transmitted vertically between the damaged items. Will continue to act on the lid 10. However, if the lower column 31 is damaged outside the upper column 32, it is possible to prevent an excessive load corresponding to excessive expansion / contraction of the fuel tank 2 from continuing to act on the lid 10. Therefore, it becomes possible to enhance the effect of suppressing damage to the lid body 10.

  Furthermore, in the upper column 32 of the first embodiment, the lower column portion 311 of the lower column 31 is slidably fitted from below into the hollow cylindrical portion 320a of the upper cylinder portion 320. On the other hand, in the lower column 31, the upper column part 321 in the upper column 32 is slid up and down from above in the hollow cylindrical part 312 a of the lower cylinder unit 312. In the slide fitting structure in which the internal and external relationships are staggered, a stress concentration portion 313 is provided at a specific location Sc of the lower column portion 311. According to this, the lower strut 31 ensures the total strength of both portions 311 and 312 with respect to expansion and contraction within the normal range of the fuel tank 2, while lowering with respect to excessive expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2. It is possible to preferentially break the support column 31 at the stress concentration portion 313 and suppress the breakage of the lid body 10.

  In addition, since the stress concentration portion 313 of the first embodiment is provided at the specific location Sc in the solid columnar portion 311a of the lower column portion 311, the section modulus is within the outline range of the solid columnar portion 311a. In addition, the degree of reduction in cross-sectional area can be set freely. That is, since the degree of freedom in setting the section modulus and the degree of reduction in the sectional area is increased, the section factor and the section factor suitable for preferentially damaging the lower column 31 according to the specifications of the fuel supply device 1 and the fuel tank 2 A cross-sectional area can be applied to the stress concentration portion 313.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, the hollow cylindrical portion 320a of the upper cylindrical portion 320 is reinforced by the solid columnar portion 321a that is continuous in a rib shape. Therefore, even if an excessive load acts along the connecting column 30 due to excessive expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2, the hollow cylindrical portion 320 a of the upper cylindrical portion 320 in the upper column 32 is not damaged, and the lower column 31 is not damaged. The stress concentration part 313 may be damaged. According to this, it becomes possible to suppress that the cover body 10 is damaged by the damaged thing of the upper support | pillar 32 nearer to the cover body 10 than the lower support | pillar 31. FIG.

  In addition, in the stress concentration portion 313 formed in the oblique cut shape in the lower support column 31 of the first embodiment, the section modulus and the sectional area at the specific location Sc are changed by changing the inclined form of the oblique cut shape. Can be adjusted. According to this, it is possible to enhance the effect of suppressing the breakage of the lid body 10 by exerting the breakage function of the lower support column 31 with priority over the lid body 10 aiming at the excessive expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2. .

  In addition, in the first embodiment, when the slide fitting length of the lower support column 31 with respect to the upper support column 32 is maximized, the column side upper end portion 311c of the lower support column 31 is locked by the upper support column 32. Therefore, when an excessive load is applied along the connecting strut 30 in response to excessive expansion / contraction of the fuel tank 2, the slide fitting length of the lower strut 31 with respect to the upper strut 32 is maximized. An impact accompanying the locking of the column-side upper end 311c occurs. At this time, the stress concentration portion 313 where stress concentrates due to the reduction of the section modulus and the cross-sectional area in the lower support column 31 may be preferentially damaged over the cover body 10 regardless of the occurrence of an impact. Can be suppressed.

  In addition to the above, in the first embodiment, a very excessive load against the restoring force of the elastic member 33 sandwiched between the upper cylinder portion 320 and the lower column portion 311 causes an excessive expansion of the fuel tank 2. It can be assumed that it acts on the upper cylinder part 320 and the lower column part 311 according to the contraction. At this time, in the lower pillar portion 311, the stress concentration portion 313 where the stress is concentrated due to the reduction of the section modulus and the cross-sectional area can be preferentially damaged over the lid body 10, so that the lid body 10 is prevented from being damaged. Is possible.

  Now, according to the first embodiment, at the second fitting initial position P <b> 2 where the lower cylinder portion 312 slide-fits to the upper column portion 321, the lower column portion 311 slide-fits to the upper cylinder portion 320. The slide fitting of the lower column part 311 with respect to the upper cylindrical part 320 is advanced from the first fitting initial position P1. As a result, when the lower column 31 having the lower column portion 311 and the lower cylinder portion 312 is assembled to the upper column 32 having the upper cylinder portion 320 and the upper column portion 321 integrally formed, The sliding fitting of the lower column portion 311 and the lower cylinder portion 312 is shifted with respect to the cylinder portion 320 and the upper column portion 321 respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the lower column part 311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylinder part 320 from the first fitting initial position P1, and then the lower fitting part P2 is moved from the second fitting initial position P2 as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 312 starts to slide fit with the upper column portion 321. Although not shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the elastic member 33 is sandwiched between the upper cylindrical portion 320 and the lower column portion 311 during actual assembly.

  Here, in the first embodiment, the cylinder-side lower end portion 320c of the upper cylinder portion 320 is vertically aligned with the column-side lower end portion 321c of the upper column portion 321, while the column-side upper end portion 311c of the lower column portion 311 is aligned. Is shifted upward from the cylinder side upper end 312c of the lower cylinder 312. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the first end as shown in FIG. 17 is surely preceded from the second fitting initial position P2 before the cylinder side upper end 312c starts to slide fit with the column side lower end 321c. The column-side upper end 311c is slidably fitted to the cylinder-side lower end 320c from the fitting initial position P1.

  According to such 1st Embodiment, after positioning the lower pillar part 311 with respect to the upper cylinder part 320 in the 1st fitting initial position P1, the slide fitting of the lower pillar part 311 with respect to the upper cylinder part 320 is advanced. Thus, the relative displacement in the lateral direction can be restricted between the support columns 31 and 32. Therefore, the lower cylinder part 312 can be positioned at the second fitting initial position P <b> 2 with respect to the upper column part 321 while the lower column part 311 is guided by the upper cylinder part 320. As described above, the positioning at the first fitting initial position P1 can be easily realized only on one side in the lateral direction, and the positioning at the second fitting initial position P2 can be easily realized on the opposite side in the lateral direction. obtain. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the workability of assembling the lower column 31 with respect to the upper column 32 and improve the productivity.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, in the lower support column 2031 of the second embodiment, not only the stress concentration portion 313 is provided at the specific location Sc of the lower pillar portion 311 as the “first lower portion”, A stress concentrating portion 2313 is also provided at a specific portion Sp of the lower cylinder portion 2312 as “two lower portions”. Here, as shown in FIG. 22, the specific portion Sp is set in a range from the boundary 314 with the rotary plate portion 310 to a predetermined distance upward in the hollow cylindrical portion 2312 a of the lower cylindrical portion 2312. This specific portion Sp is also positioned as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 just above the lower end 31a and outside the hollow cylindrical portion 320a of the upper cylindrical portion 320 in the lower column 2031.

  Although not shown, even in the second embodiment, when the slide fitting length of the lower column 2031 is maximum with respect to the upper column 32, the column-side upper end 311c of the lower column 2031 is formed by the concave bottom surface 320b of the upper column 32. Is locked. Although not shown, in the second embodiment, the cylinder side lower end 320c of the upper cylinder 320 is vertically aligned with the column side lower end 321c of the upper column 321, while the column of the lower column 311 is arranged. The side upper end portion 311 c is shifted upward from the cylinder side upper end portion 312 c of the lower cylinder portion 2312.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the stress concentration portion 2313 provided at the specific location Sp is formed in a concave shape at the bottom of the hollow cylindrical portion 2312 a of the lower cylindrical portion 2312 of the lower column 2031. Specifically, the stress concentrating portion 2313 has a slit 2313a extending in the lateral direction along the rotational axis Ar and in the lateral direction perpendicular to the rotational axis Ar on the inside of the recess. Due to the presence of the slit 2313a, in the stress concentration portion 2313, the section modulus and the cross-sectional area in the cross section substantially parallel to the rotation axis Ar are reduced in accordance with the stress concentration portion 313 as compared with other portions of the hollow cylindrical portion 2312a. Yes. Therefore, when the lower strut 2031 receives a load caused by the expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2, the stress concentration portions 2313 and 313 having reduced section modulus and sectional area are subjected to stress according to the first embodiment. Will be concentrated.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, in the slide fitting structure in which the internal and external relations are staggered as in the first embodiment, stress is applied to the specific points Sc and Sp in both the lower column part 311 and the lower cylinder part 2312. Concentrating portions 313 and 2313 are provided. Therefore, when an excessive load is applied along the connection support column 30 in response to excessive expansion / contraction of the fuel tank 2, stress concentrates on the stress concentration portions 313, 2313 having a reduced section modulus and sectional area. As a result, the stress concentration portions 313 and 2313 can be damaged at two locations of the lower column 2031 having the lower column portion 311 and the lower cylinder portion 2312 as shown in FIG. According to this, it becomes easy to produce the failure | damage of the lower support | pillar 2031 given priority over the cover body 10, and it becomes possible to heighten the damage suppression effect of the cover body 10. FIG. 23 illustrates a state in which the stress concentration portions 313 and 2313 of the lower column portion 311 and the lower cylinder portion 2312 are broken around the rotation axis Ar and separated from the rotation plate portion 310.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the lower strut 2031 is slidably fitted into the upper strut 32 from below, and the stress concentrating portions 313 and 2313 are provided at specific locations Sc and Sp outside the upper strut 32 in the lower strut 2031. Is provided. As a result, the lower support 2031 is damaged outside the upper support 32. Here, if the lower strut 2031 is broken in the upper strut 32 and all the damaged items remain, an excessive load corresponding to excessive expansion and contraction of the fuel tank 2 is transmitted vertically between the damaged items. Will continue to act on the lid 10. However, if the lower column 2031 is damaged outside the upper column 32, it is possible to prevent an excessive load corresponding to excessive expansion / contraction of the fuel tank 2 from continuing to act on the lid 10. Therefore, it becomes possible to enhance the effect of suppressing damage to the lid body 10.

  Furthermore, in the stress concentration portion 2313 formed in a concave shape in the lower support column 2031 of the second embodiment, the section modulus and the cross-sectional area at the specific location Sp can be adjusted by changing the shape of the concave shape. According to this, it is possible to enhance the effect of suppressing the breakage of the lid 10 by exerting the breakage function of the lower strut 2031 having priority over the lid 10 by aiming at the time when the fuel tank 2 is excessively expanded and contracted. .

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the lower column 3031 of the third embodiment has a locking portion 3315 between a lower column portion 311 as a “first lower portion” and a lower cylinder portion 312 as a “second lower portion”. Are integrally formed. In the lower column 3031, the locking portion 3315 is positioned to be spaced below the upper end portions 311 c and 312 c of the lower column portion 311 and the lower cylinder portion 312. With such a configuration, when the slide fitting length of the lower column 3031 is maximum with respect to the upper column 32 as shown in FIG. Will be locked. At this time, the concave bottom surface 320b of the upper column 32 and the column-side upper end portion 311c of the lower column 31 are separated from each other in the vertical direction. Although not shown, in the third embodiment, the cylinder side lower end part 320c of the upper cylinder part 320 is vertically aligned with the column side lower end part 321c of the upper column part 321, while the column of the lower column part 311 is arranged. The side upper end portion 311c is displaced upward from the cylinder side upper end portion 312c of the lower cylinder portion 312.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, when the slide fitting length of the lower support column 31 with respect to the upper support column 32 is maximized, the locking portion 3315 positioned below the uppermost column-side upper end portion 311c in the lower support column 3031 is provided. The upper support 32 is engaged. Therefore, when an excessive load is applied along the connecting column 30 in response to excessive expansion / contraction of the fuel tank 2, the slide fitting length of the lower column 3031 with respect to the upper column 32 is maximized, and thus the upper column 32 An impact accompanying the locking of the locking portion 3315 occurs. At this time, the stress concentration portion 313 where the stress concentrates due to the reduction of the section modulus and the cross-sectional area in the lower column 3031 can be preferentially damaged over the lid body 10 regardless of the occurrence of the impact. In addition, the position where the locking portion 3315 below the upper end portion 311c is locked by the upper column 32 in the lower column 3031 is located as far as possible downward from the lid 10, so that It is difficult for the impact to propagate to the lid 10. From these things, it becomes possible to raise the damage suppression effect of the cover body 10. FIG.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 25, in the upper column 4032 of the fourth embodiment, the cylinder side lower end portion 4320c as the “first lower end portion” in the upper cylinder portion 4320 as the “first upper portion” is the “second upper portion”. In the upper column part 4321 as the "second lower end part", the column side lower end part 4321c is spaced downward and shifted in a stepped manner. That is, the cylinder-side lower end portion 4320 c is the lower end portion located at the lowest position in the upper column 4032. On the other hand, in the lower column 4031, the column-side upper end portion 4311 c as the “first upper end portion” in the lower column portion 4311 as the “first lower portion” is the “first” in the lower cylinder portion 4312 as the “second lower portion”. The cylinder side upper end portion 4312c as the “2 upper end portion” is aligned vertically and is not substantially deviated. Although not shown, even in the fourth embodiment, when the slide fitting length of the lower column 4031 is maximum with respect to the upper column 4032, the column-side upper end portion 4311c of the lower column 4031 is formed by the concave bottom surface 320b of the upper column 4032. Is locked.

  Under these end portion positional relationships, the lower column portion 4311 is slidably fitted up and down from the first fitting initial position P1 shown in FIG. That is, the first fitting initial position P1 is an initial position at which the column-side upper end portion 4311c of the lower column portion 4311 starts sliding fitting with respect to the cylinder-side lower end portion 4320c of the upper cylinder portion 4320. On the other hand, the lower cylinder portion 4312 is slidably fitted up and down from the second fitting initial position P2 shown in FIG. That is, the second fitting initial position P2 is an initial position at which the cylinder-side upper end portion 4312c of the lower cylinder portion 4312 starts sliding fitting with respect to the column-side lower end portion 4321c of the upper column portion 4321, and the upper cylinder portion 4320. The slide fitting of the lower pillar portion 4311 with respect to the first fitting initial position P1 in FIG.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the lower column portion 4311 is slid and fitted to the upper cylinder portion 4320 at the second fitting initial position P2 where the lower cylinder portion 4312 is slid and fitted to the upper column portion 4321. The sliding fitting of the lower column part 4311 to the upper cylinder part 4320 is advanced from the first fitting initial position P1 to be performed. As a result, when the lower support column 4031 is assembled to the upper support column 4032, the slide fitting of the lower column part 4311 and the lower cylinder part 4312 is shifted with respect to the upper cylinder part 4320 and the upper column part 4321, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 26, after the lower column part 4311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylinder part 4320 from the first fitting initial position P1, the lower fitting part P2 is moved from the second fitting initial position P2 as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 4312 starts to slide fit with the upper column portion 4321.

  Here, in the fourth embodiment, the cylinder side lower end portion 4320c of the upper cylinder portion 4320 is shifted downward from the column side lower end portion 4321c of the upper column portion 4321, while the column side upper end portion 4311c of the lower column portion 4311 is changed. The lower cylinder portion 4312 is vertically aligned with the cylinder side upper end portion 4312c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, as shown in FIG. 26, the first end as shown in FIG. 26 is surely preceded from the second fitting initial position P2 before the cylinder-side upper end portion 4312c starts to slide-fit with the column-side lower end portion 4321c. The column-side upper end portion 4311c is slidably fitted to the cylinder-side lower end portion 4320c from the fitting initial position P1.

  According to the fourth embodiment, since the same principle as that of the first embodiment is established, it is possible to improve the workability of assembling the lower column 4031 with respect to the upper column 4032 and improve the productivity.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in the upper column 5032 of the fifth embodiment, the cylinder side lower end portion 5320c as the “first lower end portion” in the upper cylinder portion 5320 as the “first upper portion” is the “second upper portion”. In the upper column portion 5321 as the “second lower end portion”, the column-side lower end portion 5321 c is spaced downward and shifted in a stepped manner. That is, the cylinder-side lower end portion 5320 c is the lower end portion located at the lowest position in the upper column 5032. As in the first embodiment, in the lower column 31, the column-side upper end portion 311 c as the “first upper end portion” in the lower column portion 311 as the “first lower portion” serves as the “second lower portion”. The lower cylinder portion 312 is shifted upwardly away from the cylinder-side upper end portion 312c as the “second upper end portion”.

  Under these end portion positional relationships, the lower column portion 311 is slidably fitted up and down from the first fitting initial position P1 shown in FIG. That is, the first fitting initial position P1 is an initial position at which the column-side upper end portion 311c of the lower column portion 311 starts sliding fitting with respect to the cylinder-side lower end portion 5320c of the upper cylinder portion 5320. On the other hand, the lower cylinder portion 312 is slidably fitted up and down from the second fitting initial position P2 shown in FIG. That is, the second fitting initial position P2 is an initial position at which the cylinder-side upper end 312c of the lower cylinder 312 starts sliding fitting with respect to the column-side lower end 5321c of the upper pillar 5321. The slide fitting of the lower column part 311 with respect to the first fitting initial position P1 in FIG. 29 is a position advanced.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the lower column portion 311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylinder portion 5320 at the second fitting initial position P2 where the lower cylinder portion 312 is slidably fitted to the upper column portion 5321. The sliding fitting of the lower column part 311 to the upper cylindrical part 5320 is advanced from the first fitting initial position P1 to be performed. As a result, when the lower column 31 is assembled to the upper column 5032, the slide fitting of the lower column 311 and the lower column 312 is shifted with respect to the upper column 5320 and the upper column 5321, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 29, after the lower column part 311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylinder part 5320 from the first fitting initial position P1, the lower fitting part P2 is moved from the second fitting initial position P2 as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 312 starts to slide fit with the upper column portion 5321.

  Here, in the fifth embodiment, the cylinder-side lower end portion 5320c of the upper cylinder portion 5320 is shifted downward from the column-side lower end portion 5321c of the upper column portion 5321, while the column-side upper end portion 311c of the lower column portion 311 is changed. The lower cylinder portion 312 is displaced upward from the cylinder side upper end portion 312c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29, as shown in FIG. 29, the first end as shown in FIG. 29 is surely preceded from the second fitting initial position P2 before the cylinder-side upper end 312c starts to slide-fit with the column-side lower end 5321c. The column-side upper end 311c is slidably fitted to the cylinder-side lower end 5320c from the fitting initial position P1.

  According to the fifth embodiment, since the same principle as that of the first embodiment is established, it is possible to improve the assembling workability of the lower column 31 with respect to the upper column 5032 and improve the productivity.

(Sixth embodiment)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 31, in the upper column 6032 of the sixth embodiment, the cylinder side lower end portion 6320c as the “first lower end portion” in the upper cylinder portion 6320 as the “first upper portion” is the “second upper portion”. The upper column portion 6321 as the “second lower end portion” is shifted upwardly from the column-side lower end portion 6321 c as a “second lower end portion”. In other words, the lowermost lower end portion of the upper column 6032 is a column side lower end portion 6321c. As in the first embodiment, in the lower column 31, the column-side upper end portion 311 c as the “first upper end portion” in the lower column portion 311 as the “first lower portion” serves as the “second lower portion”. The lower cylinder portion 312 is shifted upwardly away from the cylinder-side upper end portion 312c as the “second upper end portion”. Here, the deviation amount X of the column side upper end 311c with respect to the cylinder side upper end portion 312c is larger than the deviation amount Y of the cylinder side lower end portion 6320c with respect to the column side lower end portion 6321c.

  Under these end portion positional relationships, the lower column portion 311 is slidably fitted up and down from the first fitting initial position P1 shown in FIG. That is, the first fitting initial position P1 is an initial position at which the column-side upper end portion 311c of the lower column portion 311 starts sliding fitting with respect to the cylinder-side lower end portion 6320c of the upper cylinder portion 6320. On the other hand, the lower cylinder portion 312 is slidably fitted up and down from the second fitting initial position P2 shown in FIG. That is, the second fitting initial position P2 is an initial position at which the cylinder-side upper end 312c of the lower cylinder 312 starts sliding fitting with respect to the column-side lower end 6321c of the upper pillar 6321. The slide fitting of the lower column part 311 with respect to the first fitting initial position P1 in FIG. 32 is a advanced position.

  According to the sixth embodiment, the lower column portion 311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylinder portion 6320 at the second fitting initial position P2 where the lower cylinder portion 312 is slidably fitted to the upper column portion 6321. The sliding fitting of the lower column part 311 to the upper cylinder part 6320 is advanced from the first fitting initial position P1 to be performed. As a result, when the lower column 31 is assembled to the upper column 6032, the slide fitting of the lower column 311 and the lower column 312 is shifted with respect to the upper column 6320 and the upper column 6321, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 32, after the lower column part 311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylinder part 6320 from the first fitting initial position P1, the lower fitting part P2 is moved from the second fitting initial position P2 as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 312 starts to slide fit with the upper column portion 6321.

  Here, in the sixth embodiment, the cylinder side lower end portion 6320c of the upper cylinder portion 6320 is displaced upward from the column side lower end portion 6321c of the upper column portion 6321, while the column side upper end portion 311c of the lower column portion 311 is changed. The lower cylinder portion 312 is displaced upward from the cylinder side upper end portion 312c. However, in the sixth embodiment, the displacement amount X of the column side upper end portion 311c with respect to the cylinder side upper end portion 312c is larger than the displacement amount Y of the cylinder side lower end portion 6320c with respect to the column side lower end portion 6321c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 32, as shown in FIG. 32, the first end as shown in FIG. 32 is surely preceded from the second fitting initial position P2 before the cylinder-side upper end 312c starts to slide-fit with the column-side lower end 6321c. From the fitting initial position P1, the column-side upper end portion 311c is slidably fitted to the cylinder-side lower end portion 6320c.

  According to the sixth embodiment, since the same principle as that of the first embodiment is established, it is possible to improve the workability of assembling the lower column 31 with respect to the upper column 6032 and improve the productivity.

(Seventh embodiment)
The seventh embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 34, in the lower column 7031 of the seventh embodiment, the column-side upper end portion 7311c as the “first upper end portion” in the lower column portion 7311 as the “first lower portion” is the “second lower portion”. The lower cylinder portion 7312 as the “second upper end portion” is shifted downwardly away from the cylinder side upper end portion 7312 c as the “second upper end portion”. That is, the uppermost upper end portion of the lower column 7031 is the cylinder side upper end portion 7312c. As in the fourth embodiment, in the upper column 4032, the cylinder side lower end portion 4320c as the “first lower end portion” in the upper cylinder portion 4320 as the “first upper portion” serves as the “second upper portion”. The upper column portion 4321 is shifted downwardly from the column side lower end portion 4321c as the “second lower end portion” so as to be stepped. Here, the displacement amount Y of the cylinder side lower end portion 4320c with respect to the column side lower end portion 4321c is larger than the displacement amount X of the column side upper end portion 7311c with respect to the cylinder side upper end portion 7312c. Although not shown, even in the seventh embodiment, when the slide fitting length of the lower column 7031 is maximum with respect to the upper column 4032, the column-side upper end portion 7311c of the lower column 7031 is formed by the concave bottom surface 320b of the upper column 4032. Is locked.

  Under these end portion positional relationships, the lower column portion 7311 is slidably fitted up and down from the first fitting initial position P1 shown in FIG. That is, the first fitting initial position P1 is an initial position at which the column-side upper end portion 7311c of the lower column portion 7311 starts sliding fitting with respect to the cylinder-side lower end portion 4320c of the upper cylinder portion 4320. On the other hand, the lower cylindrical portion 7312 is slidably fitted up and down from the second fitting initial position P2 shown in FIG. That is, the second fitting initial position P2 is an initial position at which the cylinder-side upper end portion 7312c of the lower cylinder portion 7312 starts sliding fitting with respect to the column-side lower end portion 4321c of the upper column portion 4321, and the upper cylinder portion 4320. The slide fitting of the lower column part 7311 with respect to the first fitting initial position P1 in FIG.

  According to the seventh embodiment, at the second fitting initial position P2 where the lower cylinder portion 7312 is slid and fitted to the upper column portion 4321, the lower column portion 7311 is slid and fitted to the upper cylinder portion 4320. The sliding fitting of the lower column part 7311 to the upper cylinder part 4320 is advanced from the first fitting initial position P1 to be performed. As a result, when the lower column 7031 is assembled to the upper column 4032, the slide fitting of the lower column portion 7311 and the lower column portion 7312 is shifted with respect to the upper cylinder portion 4320 and the upper column portion 4321, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 35, the lower column portion 7311 is slidably fitted to the upper cylindrical portion 4320 from the first fitting initial position P1, and then the lower fitting portion P2 is moved from the second fitting initial position P2 as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 7312 starts to slide fit with the upper column portion 4321.

  Here, in the seventh embodiment, the cylinder side lower end portion 4320c of the upper cylinder portion 4320 is shifted downward from the column side lower end portion 4321c of the upper column portion 4321, while the column side upper end portion 7311c of the lower column portion 7311 is changed. The lower cylinder portion 7312 is displaced downward from the cylinder side upper end portion 7312c. However, in the seventh embodiment, the displacement amount Y of the cylinder side lower end portion 4320c with respect to the column side lower end portion 4321c is larger than the displacement amount X of the column side upper end portion 7311c with respect to the cylinder side upper end portion 7312c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 35, as shown in FIG. 35, the first end as shown in FIG. 35 is surely preceded from the second fitting initial position P2 before the cylinder-side upper end portion 7312c starts to slide-fit with the column-side lower end portion 4321c. The column-side upper end portion 7311c is slidably fitted to the cylinder-side lower end portion 4320c from the fitting initial position P1.

  According to the seventh embodiment, since the same principle as in the first embodiment is established, it is possible to improve the workability of assembling the lower column 7031 with respect to the upper column 4032 and improve the productivity.

(Other embodiments)
Although a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be applied.

  Specifically, as a first modification related to the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, a stress concentration portion 2313 according to the second embodiment is provided at a specific location Sc of the lower column portion 311. It may be. Here, especially in the first modification related to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 38, the stress concentration portion 2313 is provided not only in the specific portion Sp of the lower cylinder portion 2312 but also in the specific portion Sc of the lower column portion 311. It becomes. FIG. 37 shows a first modification of the first embodiment, and FIG. 38 shows a first modification of the second embodiment.

  As a second modification related to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 39, the stress concentration portion 313 according to the first embodiment has not only the specific portion Sc of the lower column portion 311 but also the specific portion Sp of the lower cylinder portion 2312. May also be provided. As a third modification related to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 40, the stress concentration portion 313 is not provided at the specific location Sc of the lower column portion 311, and the stress concentration portion 2313 is provided only at the specific location Sp of the lower cylinder portion 2312. May be provided.

  As modification 4 regarding the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 41 to 43, the stress concentration portion 313 according to the first embodiment is replaced with or added to the specific portion Sc of the lower column portion 311, and the rotating plate portion. 310 may be provided at a specific location. 41 to 43 show Modification 4 in which the stress concentration portion 313 is provided at a specific location of the rotary plate 310 in addition to the specific location Sc of the lower column portion 311. As a fifth modified example related to the second embodiment, although illustration is omitted, the stress concentration portion 2313 according to the second embodiment is specified instead of or in addition to the specific portion Sp of the lower cylindrical portion 2312, It may be provided at a location.

  As a sixth modified example related to the first and second embodiments, the specific portion Sc of the lower support columns 31 and 2031 may be off from directly above the lower end portion 31a. As a seventh modified example related to the second embodiment, the specific portion Sp may be off from directly above the lower end portion 31a in the lower column 2031.

  As a modified example 8 related to the first and second embodiments, the stress concentrating portion 313 may be provided at a specific portion Sc in the upper column 32 in the lower columns 31 and 2031. As a ninth modified example related to the first and second embodiments, the upper column part 321 without the rib-like portion 321 b may be spaced apart from the upper cylindrical part 320 in the lateral direction. As a tenth modification related to the first embodiment, the set of the upper column part 321 and the lower cylinder part 312 may not be provided.

  As a modification 11 related to the first and second embodiments, the upper support column 32 extending downward from the cover body 10 is realized by the upper support column 32 protruding downward from an element that is integral with or fixed to the cover body 10. May be. As a twelfth modification related to the first and second embodiments, even if the elastic member 33 is disposed at a location other than between the upper cylinder portion 320 and the lower column portion 311 in accordance with the above-described device disclosed in Patent Document 1. Good.

  As a modified example 13 related to the first and second embodiments, the lower pillar portion 311 as the “first lower portion” is changed to the lower cylindrical portion by forming a hollow cylindrical portion, and the “second lower portion” The lower cylindrical portions 312 and 2312 may form solid columnar portions and be changed to lower column portions. Here, in the modified example 13, the upper cylindrical portion 320 as the “first upper portion” is changed to the upper column portion by forming a solid columnar portion, and the upper column portion 321 as the “second upper portion” is changed. A hollow cylindrical portion is formed and changed to the upper cylindrical portion. Thereby, in the modified example 13, the upper column part changed from the upper cylinder part 320 is slid up and down with respect to the lower cylinder part changed from the lower column part 311. At the same time, in the modified example 13, the upper cylinder portion changed from the upper column portion 321 is slid up and down with respect to the lower column portion changed from the lower cylinder portions 312 and 2312.

  As a fourteenth modified example related to the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 44, the column-side upper end 311 c as the “first upper end” in the lower column 311 as the “first lower part” The cylinder side upper end portion 312c as the “second upper end portion” in the lower cylinder portion 312 as the “two lower portion” may be aligned vertically and not substantially deviated.

  In addition to the above, the second embodiment and the modifications 1 to 9 and 11 to 13 may be appropriately employed in the third to seventh embodiments. Moreover, the modified examples 10 and 14 may be employ | adopted suitably in 3rd Embodiment. Furthermore, the third embodiment may be appropriately adopted in the fourth to seventh embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel supply apparatus, 2 Fuel tank, 2a Upper wall, 2c Bottom wall, 3 Internal combustion engine, 10 Cover body, 20 Pump unit, 30 Connection support | pillar, 31,2031,3031,4031,7031 Lower support | pillar, 31a Lower end part, 32 , 4032, 5032, 6032 Upper column, 33 Elastic member, 310 Rotating plate part, 311, 4311, 7311 Lower column part, 311a, 321a Solid columnar part, 311b Housing hole, 312, 2312, 4312, 7312 Lower cylinder part, 312a, 2312a, 320a hollow cylindrical portion, 313, 2313 stress concentration portion, 314 boundary, 320, 4320, 5320, 6320 upper cylindrical portion, 321, 4321, 5321, 6321 upper column portion, 321b rib-shaped portion, 2313a slit, 3315 Locking part, Sc, Sp specific item P1, first mating initial position, P2 second mating initial position

Claims (16)

In the fuel supply device (1) for supplying fuel from the fuel tank (2) to the internal combustion engine (3),
A lid (10) attached to the upper wall (2a) of the fuel tank;
A pump unit (20) mounted on the bottom wall (2c) of the fuel tank and discharging the fuel in the fuel tank toward the internal combustion engine;
A connecting column (30) connecting the lid and the pump unit;
The connecting strut is
An upper column (32, 4032, 5032, 6032) extending below the lid;
Lower struts (31, 2031, 3031, 4031, 7031) that are mounted on the pump unit and are slidably fitted to the upper struts up and down,
Stress specific portions (313, 2313) where stress concentrates due to a decrease in the section modulus are provided at specific locations (Sc, Sp) of the lower support column ,
In the upper column, the lower column is slid from below,
The stress concentration portion is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) outside the upper column in the lower column.
The upper column includes upper cylinder portions (320, 4320, 5320, 6320) forming hollow cylindrical portions (320a) and upper column portions (321, 4321) forming solid columnar portions (321a). , 5321, 6321).
The lower support column includes a lower column portion (311, 4311, 7311) forming a solid columnar portion (311a) and a lower cylinder portion (312, 2312) forming a hollow cylindrical portion (312a, 2312a). , 4312, 7312).
In the hollow cylindrical part (320a) of the upper cylindrical part, the lower column part is slidably fitted from below,
In the hollow cylindrical part (312a, 2312a) of the lower cylinder part, the upper column part is slidably fitted from above,
The said stress concentration part is a fuel supply apparatus provided in the specific location (Sc, Sp) in at least one of the said lower column part and the said lower cylinder part . In the fuel supply device (1) for supplying fuel from the fuel tank (2) to the internal combustion engine (3),
A lid (10) attached to the upper wall (2a) of the fuel tank;
A pump unit (20) mounted on the bottom wall (2c) of the fuel tank and discharging the fuel in the fuel tank toward the internal combustion engine;
A connecting column (30) connecting the lid and the pump unit;
The connecting strut is
An upper column (32, 4032, 5032, 6032) extending below the lid;
Lower struts (31, 2031, 3031, 4031, 7031) that are mounted on the pump unit and are slidably fitted to the upper struts up and down,
Stress specific portions (313, 2313) where stress concentrates due to a decrease in cross-sectional area are provided at specific locations (Sc, Sp) of the lower support column ,
In the upper column, the lower column is slid from below,
The stress concentration portion is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) outside the upper column in the lower column.
The upper column includes upper cylinder portions (320, 4320, 5320, 6320) forming hollow cylindrical portions (320a) and upper column portions (321, 4321) forming solid columnar portions (321a). , 5321, 6321).
The lower support column includes a lower column portion (311, 4311, 7311) forming a solid columnar portion (311a) and a lower cylinder portion (312, 2312) forming a hollow cylindrical portion (312a, 2312a). , 4312, 7312).
In the hollow cylindrical part (320a) of the upper cylindrical part, the lower column part is slidably fitted from below,
In the hollow cylindrical part (312a, 2312a) of the lower cylinder part, the upper column part is slidably fitted from above,
The said stress concentration part is a fuel supply apparatus provided in the specific location (Sc, Sp) in at least one of the said lower column part and the said lower cylinder part .   3. The fuel supply according to claim 1, wherein the stress concentration portion is provided at a specific location (Sc, Sp) located immediately above a lower end portion (31 a) receiving a load from the bottom wall in the lower support column. apparatus. The said stress concentration part (313) is a fuel supply apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 provided in the specific location (Sc) in the solid columnar part (311a) of the said lower column part. The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the solid columnar part (321a) of the upper column part is continuous in a rib shape from the hollow cylindrical part (320a) of the upper cylinder part. . The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the stress concentration portion (313) is formed in an oblique cut shape in the lower support column (31, 3031, 4031, 7031). The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the stress concentration portion (2313) is formed in a recessed shape in the lower support column (2031). When the slide fitting length of the lower column (31, 2031, 4031, 7031) with respect to the upper column is maximized, the upper end portions (311c, 4311c, 7311c) of the lower column are locked by the upper column. The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . The lower column (3031) has a locking portion (3315) below the upper end (311c) of the lower column,
The fuel supply according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein when the slide fitting length of the lower column (3031) with respect to the upper column becomes maximum, the locking portion is locked by the upper column. apparatus. The connection strut further includes an elastic member (33) that is engaged with the lower strut (31, 2031, 3031, 4031, 7031) by being locked to the upper strut and moving downward.
The upper strut includes a first upper portion (320, 4320, 5320, 6320) and a second upper portion (321, 4321, 5321, 6321) arranged side by side,
The lower strut includes a first lower portion (311, 4311, 7311) and a second lower portion (312, 2312, 4312, 7312) arranged side by side,
The first lower portion is vertically slidably fitted to the first upper portion, and the elastic member is sandwiched between the first lower portion,
The second lower part is slidably fitted up and down with respect to the second upper part,
The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the stress concentration portion is provided at a specific location (Sc) in the first lower portion. The upper support column is configured by integrating a first upper portion (320, 4320, 5320, 6320) and a second upper portion (321, 4321, 5321, 6321) arranged side by side,
The lower strut (31, 2031, 3031, 4031, 7031) includes a first lower portion (311, 4311, 7311) and a second lower portion (312, 2312, 4312, 7312) arranged side by side. Configured,
The first lower part is slidably fitted up and down from the first fitting initial position (P1) to the first upper part,
The second lower portion includes a second fitting initial position (P2) in which the slide fitting of the first lower portion with respect to the first upper portion is advanced from the first fitting initial position. The fuel supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the fuel supply apparatus is slidably fitted up and down with respect to the portion. The first lower end (320c) of the first upper part (320) is vertically aligned with the second lower end (321c) of the second upper part (321),
The fuel according to claim 11 , wherein the first upper end portion (311c) of the first lower portion (311) is shifted upward from the second upper end portion (312c) of the second lower portion (312, 2312). Feeding device. The first lower end portion (4320c) of the first upper portion (4320) is shifted downward from the second lower end portion (4321c) of the second upper portion (4321),
The fuel supply according to claim 11 , wherein the first upper end (4311c) of the first lower part (4311) is vertically aligned with the second upper end (4312c) of the second lower part (4312). apparatus. The first lower end (5320c) of the first upper part (5320) is shifted downward from the second lower end (5321c) of the second upper part (5321),
The fuel supply device according to claim 11 , wherein the first upper end (311c) of the first lower portion (311) is displaced upward from the second upper end (312c) of the second lower portion (312). . The first lower end portion (6320c) of the first upper portion (6320) is shifted upward from the second lower end portion (6321c) of the second upper portion (6321),
The first upper end (311c) of the first lower part (311) is shifted upward from the second upper end (312c) of the second lower part (312),
The fuel supply device according to claim 11 , wherein a deviation amount (X) of the first upper end portion with respect to the second upper end portion is larger than a deviation amount (Y) of the first lower end portion with respect to the second lower end portion. The first lower end portion (4320c) of the first upper portion (4320) is shifted downward from the second lower end portion (4321c) of the second upper portion (4321),
The first upper end portion (7311c) of the first lower portion (7311) is shifted downward from the second upper end portion (7312c) of the second lower portion (7312),
The fuel supply device according to claim 11 , wherein a shift amount (Y) of the first lower end portion with respect to the second lower end portion is larger than a shift amount (X) of the first upper end portion with respect to the second upper end portion.

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